Opening the 29th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly's (AIPA) meeting in Singapore on Wednesday, Lee said that as intermediaries between the political leadership and the people, they occupy a unique position.

He urged the parliamentarians, as prime candidates, to explain to the man-in-the-street the need for economic and political inter-connection among Asean countries.

Lee warned that although Asean has enjoyed a favourable external environment these past few years, but the future stability cannot be taken for granted, adding that the US economy is still facing serious problems from the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

Within some Asean countries, urgent domestic economic and political issues loomed large, and made it hard for governments to focus on building Asean cooperation.